Those devices, according to information on the Download site, include select iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, and Nokia mobile devices.

Lync is Microsoft's successor to Office Communications Server. Lync is Microsoft's unified communications platform that the company launched a year ago. Lync provides enterprise instant-messaging, VOIP and conferencing. There also is a Microsoft-hosted version of Lync that's available as a standalone service and part of Office 365 that is known as Lync Online.

Microsoft officials have been positioning Lync as a complement to Skype, its more consumer-focused VOIP service. They've said the plan is to integrate the two offerings at some point.

I've asked officials with the Lync team whether they'll confirm the December 12 date or share more information on features. No word back yet. No comment from the Softies, a spokesperson said.

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